STAMFORD -- Ephraim Goitom, the city man accused of shooting a Stamford police officer in the face as the officer attempted to serve a search warrant on Dec. 9, will be back in Stamford Superior Court on Wednesday, when his attorneys may ask for a change of venue for his trial.

Goitom, 27, of 162 Lockwood Ave., is currently being held on $2.1-million bond on charges of attempted murder of a police officer, first-degree assault, along with other gun- and drug-related charges, according to the arrest warrant.

Officer Richard "Rock" Gasparino, who was honored as "Officer of the Year" in 2009, and a 10-year veteran of the force, was with a team of officers from the Narcotics and Organized Crime Squad who were stationed behind the 162 Lockwood Ave. home at 5:41 p.m. and preparing to execute a search warrant when the gunman opened fire, according to Capt. Richard Conklin.

One bullet went through a closed door in the back of the house and struck Gasparino in the face, police said. Gasparino has since been released from Stamford Hospital and is recovering at home, but Sgt. Joseph Kennedy, president of the Stamford Police Union, said there is no timetable for Gasparino's return to active duty.

Michael Thomas, co-counsel for Goitom with Darnell Crosland, said last week that requesting a change of venue was a possibility on Wednesday.

When asked about Goitom's first-degree assault conviction in May, 2001, and how that might affect this case, Thomas said "we're still looking into that" and "I can't go into that now."

Thomas also reiterated Goitom's contention that he did not hear an announcement of "warrant" or "police" before firing the Sturm Ruger .357 magnum at the backdoor of his home, hours after a home invasion at that residence.

"There's some dispute over whether the police announced 'warrant' or 'police' because (Goitom) had an incident earlier in the day at his residence," Thomas said. "There was a home invasion, and (the invader) held his sister at knifepoint before fleeing. Ephraim heard the jostling of the doorknob, and saw pressure on the door. He thought maybe someone was using a device to break in again."

Thomas said that earlier incident "did require forcible entry" and that "the house was locked" prior to the home invasion.

"(Goitom) was able to get that guy out of the house," Thomas said. "But his father is disabled and living with him. That was a very scary incident."

Another wrinkle that Thomas and Crosland are hoping to explore is that someone -- either inside or outside 162 Lockwood Ave. -- may have recorded a video and audio tape of the incident.

"We're not sure, but someone may have taped the incident," Thomas said. "We're hoping this (recording), if it exists, is something clear and accurate, and can definitively answer the question of whether the police declared themselves."